Another Brownie Book

<h2><SPAN name="THE_BROWNIES_ON_THE_TUGBOAT" id="THE_BROWNIES_ON_THE_TUGBOAT"></SPAN>THE BROWNIES<br/> AND THE TUGBOAT.</h2> <div class="container"> <div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> <span class="figpoeml"> <ANTIMG src="images/i092b.jpg" width-obs="102" height-obs="150" alt="" class="alignlefte" /> </span> <div class="i6"> &nbsp;<span class="smcapa">WHILE</span> Brownies strayed along a pier</div> <div class="i7">To view the shipping lying near,</div> <div class="i7">A tugboat drew their gaze at last;</div> <div class="i7">'Twas at a neighboring wharf made fast.</div> <div class="i7">Cried one: "See what in black and red</div> <div class="i7">Below the pilot-house is spread!</div> <div class="i7">In honor of the Brownie Band,</div> <div class="i7">It bears our name in letters grand.</div> <div class="i7">Through all the day she's on the go;</div> <div class="i7">Now with a laden scow in tow,</div> <div class="i7">And next with barges two or three,</div> <div class="i7">Then taking out a ship to sea,</div> <div class="i7">Or through the Narrows steaming round</div> <div class="i7">In search of vessels homeward bound;</div> <div class="i7">She's stanch and true from stack to keel,</div> <div class="i7">And we should highly honored feel."</div> <div class="i7">Another said: "An hour ago,</div> <div class="i7">The men went up to see a show,</div> <div class="i7">And left the tugboat lying here.</div> <div class="i7">The steam is up, our course is clear,</div> <div class="i7">We'll crowd on board without delay</div> <div class="i7">And run her up and down the bay.</div> <div class="i7">We have indeed a special claim,</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</SPAN></span> <div class="i7">Because she bears the 'Brownie' name.</div> <div class="i7">Before the dawn creeps through the east</div> <div class="i7">We'll know about her speed at least,</div> <div class="i7">And prove how such a craft behaves</div> <div class="i7">When cutting through the roughest waves.</div> <div class="i7">Behind the wheel I'll take my stand</div> <div class="i7">And steer her round with skillful hand,</div> <div class="i7">Now down the river, now around</div> <div class="i7">The bay, or up the broader sound;</div> <div class="i7">Throughout the trip I'll keep her clear</div> <div class="i7">Of all that might awaken fear.</div> <div class="i7">When hard-a-port the helm I bring,</div> <div class="i7">Or starboard make a sudden swing,</div> <div class="i7">The Band can rest as free from dread</div> <div class="i7">As if they slept on mossy bed.</div> <div class="i7">I something know about the seas,</div> <div class="i7">I've boxed a compass, if you please,</div> <div class="i7">And so can steer her east or west,</div> <div class="i7">Or north or south, as suits me best.</div> <div class="i7">Without the aid of twinkling stars</div> <div class="i7">Or light-house lamps, I'll cross the bars.</div> <div class="i7">I know when north winds nip the nose,</div> <div class="i7">Or sou'-sou'-west the 'pig-wind' blows,</div> <div class="i7">As hardy sailors call the gale</div> <div class="i7">That from that quarter strikes the sail."</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i7">A third replied: "No doubt you're smart</div> <div class="i7">And understand the pilot's art,</div> <div class="i7">But more than one a hand should take,</div> <div class="i7">For all our lives will be at stake.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</SPAN></span> <div class="i7">In spite of eyes and ears and hands,</div> <div class="i7">And all the skill a crew commands,</div> <div class="i7">How oft collisions crush the keel</div> <div class="i7">And give the fish a sumptuous meal!</div> <div class="i7">Too many rocks around the bay</div> <div class="i7">Stick up their heads to bar the way.</div> <div class="i7">Too many vessels, long and wide,</div> <div class="i7">At anchor in the channel ride</div> <div class="i7">For us to show ourselves unwise</div> <div class="i7">And trust to but one pair of eyes."</div> </div> <div class="stanza"> <div class="i7">Ere long the tugboat swinging clear</div> <div class="i7">Turned bow to stream and left the pier,</div> <div class="i7">While many Brownies, young and old,</div> <div class="i7">From upper deck to lower hold</div> <div class="i7">Were crowding round in happy vein</div> <div class="i7">Still striving better views to gain.</div> <div class="i7">Some watched the waves around them roll;</div> <div class="i7">Some stayed below to shovel coal,</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i094.jpg" width-obs="485" height-obs="132" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i7">From hand to hand, with pitches strong,</div> <div class="i7">They passed the rattling loads along.</div> <div class="i7">Some at the engine took a place,</div> <div class="i7">More to the pilot-house would race</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</SPAN></span> <ANTIMG src="images/i095.jpg" width-obs="429" height-obs="500" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <div class="i7">To keep a sharp lookout ahead,</div> <div class="i7">Or man the wheel as fancy led.</div> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</SPAN></span> <div class="i7">But accidents we oft record,</div> <div class="i7">However well we watch and ward,</div> <div class="i7">And vessels often go to wreck</div> <div class="i7">With careful captains on the deck;</div> <ANTIMG src="images/i096.jpg" width-obs="386" height-obs="473" alt="" class="aligncenter" /> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</SPAN></span> <div class="i7">They had mishaps that night, for still,</div> <span class="figpoemr"> <ANTIMG src="images/i097.jpg" width-obs="167" height-obs="500" alt="" class="alignright" /> </span> <div class="i7">In spite of all their care and skill,</div> <div class="i7">While running straight or turning round</div> <div class="i7">In river, bay, or broader sound,</div> <div class="i7">At times they ran upon a rock,</div> <div class="i7">And startled by the sudden shock</div> <div class="i7">Some timid Brownies, turning pale,</div> <div class="i7">Would spring at once across the rail;</div> <div class="i7">And then, repenting, find all hope</div> <div class="i7">Of life depended on a rope,</div> <div class="i7">That willing hands were quick to throw</div> <div class="i7">And hoist them from the waves below.</div> <div class="i7">Sometimes too near a ship they ran</div> <div class="i7">For peace of mind; again, their plan</div> <div class="i7">Would come to naught through lengthy tow</div> <div class="i7">Of barges passing to and fro.</div> <div class="i7">The painted buoys around the bay</div> <div class="i7">At times occasioned some dismay&mdash;</div> <div class="i7">They took them for torpedoes dread</div> <div class="i7">That might the boat in fragments spread,</div> <div class="i7">Awake the city's slumbering crowds,</div> <div class="i7">And hoist the band among the clouds.</div> <div class="i7">But thus, till hints of dawn appeared</div> <div class="i7">Now here, now there, the boat was steered</div> <div class="i7">With many joys and many fears,</div> <div class="i7">That some will bear in mind for years;</div> <div class="i7">But at her pier once more she lay</div> <div class="i7">When night gave place to creeping day.</div> </div></div> </div> <hr class="chap" /> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</SPAN></span></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />